Pages

10.31.2008

Hey, all. The last dates I had posted for Mass Solo Revolt are no longer correct. The 10/28 show was cancelled, along with the one on 11/6. Bummer.

Great news though! There are 2 new dates in Athens, GA to catch these great guys. They are so awesome to see live. Definitely one of my favorites, and always worth the long drive (for me) to see. For their most recent show review, click HERE.

So if you're in the Athens area... or can drive out there from wherever you are, you should definitely go and rock out with Mass Solo Revolt and their newest songs!

In the Maryland/DC area and looking for a great show to catch? Here's one to go see! Aleksis Bilmanis is playing in Takoma Park, MD next week.

I love acoustic shows, and wish I could make this one myself. Maybe next time I'm up in that area, or he has a show in GA, I'll be able to go. At least I have his album, "World Around" to listen to until then! :)

Oh, and not only is this an acoustic show of a really talented musician... it's FREE! So go enjoy the show for me. And if you want... write and tell me about it!

10.20.2008

Back in August, I posted a list of my favorite female artists in no particular order. In addition to posting this list, and links to their websites, I thought I'd also note a favorite song or two by each of the artists, that I suggest you give yourself a listen to.

I have to add 2 new artists to that list, both relatively new (meaning in the past year), and both extremely talented. I highly suggest you take a listen to their music.

10.14.2008

Tired of how things are being run in this country? Want change and a leader who will make that difference? Whether we share the same views and/or back the same candidate or not, as American citizens, we ALL need to take part in making our voice heard. If you don't, then really... how can you complain about anything? This is your chance to help make a difference. If being part of change you want to see in the world isn't enough motivation...

10.09.2008

After Sunday night, I have the pleasure of adding a new band to my listening rotation. The Interiors, played at Farm 255 in Athens, Georgia. I first heard of them because they would be sharing the stage with Mass Solo Revolt that same night. Both bands had been reviewed in the current issue (Protest 2008) of Under the Radar.

The Interiors are a trio, made up of: Chase Duncan (vocals/guitar), Collin Jordan (bass), and Brian Lubinsky (drums).

Honestly, I was initially distracted during the beginning of their set. A little busy getting my camera ready, for when Mass Solo Revolt would take the stage. That being said, it's unfair to give a complete show review. Instead, I'll just share my experience of discovering their music.

It wasn't long (by the end of the second song) before I quit fussing with camera settings and got into the music of this Chicago based band.

One song in particular stood out for me. It's called "A Crooked Line" and can be found on their self-titled album The Interiors. The intro grabbed my attention, right away. By the end of their set, I knew I'd have to get their cd, so I could get a better listen.

Fortunately for me, I not only got a copy of the cd after the show, but I got to hang out with Brian and Collin for awhile. Both really cool guys and nice to talk with.

This show was the last of the tour they were wrapping up. Chase apologized for being a bit under the weather, but didn't let that interfere with their performance. Overall I think it was a good show!

I'm excited to have learned of plans for them to come back and play in Athens next spring. I'm really looking forward to it! Don't worry... I'll write a real show review then! :) Still, I'm just happy I got the opportunity to hear their sound and discover this cool band.

I've been listening to their cd since the show, and enjoy it very much. "A Crooked Line" is definitely my favorite song. Look for an album review in the future.

Until then...

The Interiors are cool guys with much talent! I'm sure you will like what you hear! In the meantime, don't wait any longer for what I have to say about it!

10.07.2008

My first time in Athens on a Sunday night. Wow. Quiet streets, very little activity. All the times I've been, there is usually a lot of nightlife hustle and bustle. In fact, because of my previous trips, I purposefully got there a half hour early, this time, to insure a place to park!

Well, don't let that introductory description fool you. It was certainly not a quiet and mellow evening. After Chicago band, The Interiors played, Mass Solo Revolt took the stage. And they rocked it. They rocked hard.

click images to enlarge

Hangin' with MASS SOLO REVOLT: Russ, Jim, Martin, Derek

Farm 255 - Athens, GA - 10.05.08

I got the opportunity to meet and hang with the guys, both before and after the show. Y'know, they are just as cool on stage as off. I enjoyed conversing with them, and learning a bit of the band's history first hand. They let me know they appreciate my support and love for the music. That meant a lot.

Genuine guys. Genuine talent.

Not only can you hear it in the music, it shows in their performance. Mass Solo Revolt delivers raw, honest, unbridled passion when they play together. This was the first time the audience would get to hear these songs. The entire set was brand new. I knew I wouldn't be able to hear them again, until their next show. So, I did my best to commit to memory the new music and lyrics, and digest the whole experience.

MASS SOLO REVOLT

Knowing I'd write about this in my blog, and because I love photography, I had every intention of getting better shots of the band than my quick snapshots I took a few months ago. This was a bit of a challenge. I got a few shots per song. But, it wasn't until near the end, that I made a more conscious effort. I mean, I had to make sure I'd have something to accompany this review! (Similar to what happened at the Rye Bar show. Read older post HERE.)

I bring up this challenge, to emphasize just how audio/visually captivating Mass Solo Revolt are. So much so, that it's really hard to not pay them the well-deserved attention on stage! Good thing I managed to find a balance between the two. *wink* I hesitated to look behind the lens, only because I didn't want to miss out on any of the live experience. Thankfully, I got a lot of photos, and still enjoyed rockin' out to the new tunes. Yay, me!

OK, back to the music... the main difference between these new songs and the ones I'd heard from the last show, was that the new stuff is a more collaborative effort of the band.

I didn't know until that night, that the songs I heard before were a bit older, and that they were written and arranged by, Martin Brummeler(vocals, guitar, keys) only. He and Jim Frye (bass) are old friends and had been playing for years. But Russ Sherman(drums),who broughtin Derek Burdette (guitar), were relatively new to the lineup. So, having that insight, I had a deeper appreciation for the music I was getting to experience that night.

In the songs, there are slow melodies that pull you in. Mesmerizing rhythms of slow drum beats, complemented by guitars, keyboards and bass... then...BOOM!

You get smacked in the face with some rockin' more agressive sound and Martin's vocals tearing into the mic. So yeah... don't get too comfortable.

Man, that's what I love about their music. It seeps into your brain, settles a bit into your sensors, and then remain there. You get addicted, and you want more.

The show at Farm 255 was awesome, of course. How could it not have been? I'm still going through all the images I shot, so I can post them here to go along with my review of the evening. Promise to have something up within the next 24 hours. Meanwhile, enjoy a few of these photos from the show.